Warning on ‘credible’ cold-calling bank scam

Andy Burns
November 20, 2012
Herald Sun

Police said the cunning con artists are very convincing and customers should be on high alert for any strange phone calls.

Investigators believe the con artists cold-call bank customers, posing as staff members.

They tell the victim that they have been overcharged for account-holding fees and will be reimbursed a large amount of money.

The victims are given a PIN, which they are asked to confirm during a second phone call the following day.

They are then instructed to send a money order to an address in India to cover a 10 per cent GST charge.

Several of the victims targeted were in the Sunbury area.

Sen-Sgt Jeffery Verinder said the scammers were extremely convincing and were armed with personal information about their potential victims.
“They are very credible,” he said.

“They know the victim’s account details, BSB number, date of birth and home address.

“They even know how long the person has held their account for and use this information to their advantage,” he said.

The criminals appear to be targeting people over 50 years of age.

At least five victims have approached police but so far none has handed money over to the scammers.